In that sacred place, the ritual begins with the gathering of clay and a sharp instrument, which are then brought back for the ceremony. Water, mixed with many seeds and adorned with flowers, is prepared as part of the offerings. For the king, the tying of the ceremonial tuft takes place on the eleventh day, while for others, it is performed on the twelfth. Once the individual has been invested with the sacred thread and has attained prosperity, the initiation is carried out at that very spot. The timing of this initiation is crucial—it should be performed in the year prescribed by tradition; if no such prescription exists, the rite should not be undertaken. The lords of the Vedas are invoked in order: the Moon, Venus, Mars, and Mercury. Among them, the principal and common times for such rites span five months, beginning with the month of Tapas. Those well-versed in the rites, learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, should perform the ceremony in the month of Caitra. If the initiate is strong, wealthy, and among the best in knowledge of the rites, Jyeṣṭha is the proper month for the ritual. The tying of the vow is best done on the thirteenth, tenth, or seventh lunar days. Other lunar days, except for the second, third, and sixth, are highly censured and should be avoided. During the initiation, the portions of Vishnu, the three deities, Mitra, and the lotus-born are considered and honored. The eighteenth lunar day marks the collection, while the twenty-third signifies destruction. For teachers and gentle poets, auspicious days are found during both the waxing and waning phases of the moon. The day is divided into three parts, and at its beginning, the divine rites are performed. The planetary positions are important: when a planet is in its own debilitation, its own portion, or the portion of its enemy, or situated in the house of its adversary, its own portion, or the ascetic’s portion, these moments are noted. When established in its own exaltation, its own portion, its own sign, or among a group of signs, the initiate becomes exceedingly wealthy and accomplished in the Vedas and their branches. The ascetic, when pure at the end of the rite, becomes an expert in the Vedas and scriptures. If the ceremony is performed with the teacher, with Bhrigu, or with the lord of the branch, the initiate is endowed with knowledge and wealth. The conjunction with the branch-lord at the ascetic’s ascendant is rare in the threefold asceticism, but when it occurs, it is auspicious. However, when the ceremony is conducted in the portion of sin, the initiate remains poor and afflicted with sorrow. When all is favorable, the ascetic is blessed with Vedic knowledge, wealth, and abundant grain. If the ascendant is at the beginning or end, joined or observed by gentle ones, or accompanied by four auspicious planets, complete in position and strength, all signs are considered excellent. Even the auspicious aspect of Cancer’s portion does not diminish this excellence. Thus, when the ascendant is in the ninth portion, the ascetic vow is declared. If the Moon, except when it is in the sixth, eighth, or last lunar mansion, is joined with auspicious signs, the initiate will not produce a child who is destitute or afflicted with wasting disease. A rising sign afflicted by five faults, or one that is auspicious, is prescribed for the investiture ceremony. The rite should not be performed on days when study is prohibited or when Viṣṭi or Ṣaṣṭi rules. The fourth lunar day or any of the eight auspicious lunar days are suitable for binding the protective thread. In the months prescribed for marriage, even during the bright fortnight when the Moon is not set, and on the lunar days stated for binding the protective thread, avoiding days ruled by Mars, the ceremony may proceed. When the eighth lunar day is pure, and the ascendant is free from the sixth, eighth, or last signs, the binding of the knife is performed after worshipping the gods and ancestors. Finally, at an auspicious moment, the protective thread is tied at the waist, adorned with proper marks. The pieces cut off according to the rule are used for the victory banner and for the destruction of enemies, completing the sacred rite with reverence and precision.